By Nancy Price
Four years ago, Lauren Roller and her husband, Ryan felt a call to impact children’s lives for a lifetime. They decided to be foster parents.
“I knew that when we said ‘yes,’ we weren’t only changing a child’s life for a day; we would be impacting their lives forever,” Lauren said. “Our family loves Jason Johnson (a Dallas-based director of Church Ministry Initiatives with Christian Alliance for Orphans). I believe he says it best: ‘If our adoption into God’s family is at the core of the gospel, then the gospel is certainly at the core of our calling to care for vulnerable kids in our world who need loving, safe and permanent families to call their own.’
“Something that I didn’t expect was how it deeply changed our family, especially our children. I love how fostering has opened my eyes and my children’s eyes to just how lucky we truly are. It has helped mold ourselves and our children into better people. It shows kids daily how to live a selfless life which is what Christ calls us to do. Being a foster parent give us an uncommon way to show Christ’s love to the biological parents and be in their corner when no one ever has been. We serve a God of second chances; why should we be any different?”
In 2018 the Rollers expanded their family by adopting a foster child: their daughter, Ella.
What is your greatest virtue? I am a very driven person. When a task is set before me, I’ll do whatever it takes to complete it.
What upsets you? Three things that upset me are when people aren’t allowed to have a voice, when people don’t follow through on their word and when someone who I believe is loyal, and in my corner does something very disloyal.
What do you like best about Center Grove?
Our small community feel! I love seeing my kids growing up with a village of amazing parents looking out for each other’s children and their best interests.
What’s your favorite Southside eatery?
I am sure those who know me who are reading this already know it: Luciana’s!
If you had to live anywhere else in the Metro Indianapolis area, where would it be?
This is hard because we recently moved into my dream home! I truly don’t think there is anywhere else I’d rather be right now.
If you could begin life over, what would you change?
I wish I would have learned at a younger age to be present! I still struggle with slowing down and being in the moment. So much time has passed by that I was not fully present.
If money were no issue, how would you spend it?
I would love to come up with more ways to help local foster youth and their families while also taking some fun vacations.
What makes you happiest?
Being with my family and friends.
Pick three adjectives that best describe you.
Driven, passionate and loyal.
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Destin, Florida
What do you do with idle time?
We spend a lot of time with friends playing card or board games.
What would you change about our culture if you could?
We have a very distant culture. My family has worked hard to build a village around ourselves but I see and know not everyone has that.
How do you escape from reality?
Spending time with friends and family. A good Netflix series.
What do you love most in life?
My family.
Which living person in Center Grove do you most admire?
Ryan Roller, my husband. He is a living example of Jesus in our home. He works so hard to lead by example. He is trustworthy, works hard and is self-driven.
What quality do you admire most in another person?
Loyalty
What is your greatest extravagance?
I love buying fun home decorations. That habit gets expensive!
What is your greatest fear?
Not feeling secure.
What has been the happiest time of your life?
My husband and I started dating when we were 16 and 17. I loved being able to be carefree with him and not having the heaviness of adult life on ourselves. I also love that I am able to have that and look back on it.
Is there a special talent you really wish you had?
I really wish I was able to speak in public settings.
What do you most value in your friends?
Loyalty. I love feeling secure in my friendships.
What tenet do you live by?
Christ died for me so I can have a relationship with God.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
Because of how outgoing I am people are normally surprised when I tell them I don’t like speaking in a public setting.
